Abstract: This article examines three dimensions of mothers' well-being (personal happiness, selfesteem,
and depression) across four diverse family structures (first-married, remarried,
divorced, and continuously single-parent families). Using a nationally representative sample
of 2,781 mothers, the results indicate small but statistically significant differences across
family structures. Mothers in their flfSt marriage enjoy the highest well-being, mothers in
stepfamilies fare nearly as well, and divorced and continuously single mothers have the
lowest well-being. Most of the differences persist when relevant variables are controlled.
Multiple regression analyses indicate that the strongest predictors of mothers' well-being are
measures of family relations, especially children's well-being, marital happiness, marital
stability, and low levels of marital conflict. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms
of the relative importance for mothers' well-being of family structure, sociodemographic
variables, and family processes.